PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - 1972 450SL

Jim B. · #3 07-17-2007, 06:25 AM

That IS gorgeous. Those cost a LOT to restore to that standard, but they are worth it.

No catalysts. the painted hubcaps and the 1972-73 thin bumpers make yours an especially covetable R107.

I'm not familiar with the cast iron 450 block, but when do the timing chains on those need to be done? On the 560 it's at about 100,000 miles, and the guide rails can get brittle and crumble over the long years.

Found a good hardtop hoist or stand for the car yet? Possibly sheepskin covers to protect the leather seats. Extra keys and a bottle of touch up paint around are a good idea always.

Get your wife to get you one of these, little silver keychain model.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mercedes-350-SL-R107-offenMod-Schluesselanhaenger-versi_W0QQitemZ290139558971QQihZ019QQcategoryZ14769QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They are beautiful polished silver, about $26, 1/87" scale like HO train scale, the seller speaks english and responded to my email that shipping is only 4.50 euros, insurance 2.50 euros, airmail ok, send cash OK, and he has sold thousands in Germany so could be trusted. I will probably get one for my car one of these days.

Might be fun to grab up a sales brochure for this car

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-ALL-MODEL-MERCEDES-SALES-BROCHURE_W0QQitemZ290139126010QQihZ019QQcategoryZ34227QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or an owners manual if you don't have one. (Handy reference for fuses, bulbs, gasoline octane recommendations and service intervals)

Ebay and Ebay UK sometimes yield vintage magazines like Car and Driver, Road and Track with original road test articles about these cars.

There are some books of interest also referencing thie R107.
http://sl107.com/store/

The Mercedes Classic Center in Orange County, California probably could provide help with questions.

It might with a gem like this, depending on the mileage you will put on it, be worth looking into "agreed value" insurance or collectors car insurance for this one, like Hagerty, JT Taylor, etc.